DeMatha-Rockhurst called off

By Sheldon Shealer

The much-anticipated DeMatha vs. Rockhurst Jesuit (Mo.) football game was canceled Wednesday morning in light of the tragedy that has gripped the U.S.

"We're calling it off," DeMatha coach Bill McGregor said.

"We have a lot of kids fearful of flying and parents who don't want kids on a plane," McGregor added. "Out of good faith, this is the right thing to do."

Elsewhere, Urbana's game with Park View (Va.) has also been canceled. The Loudoun County school system has canceled all sporting events for the remainder of the week. The school did not bite on an offer from Urbana to play the game Monday. Dave Carruthers, Urbana's coach, confirmed the cancelation Wednesday night.

McGregor said this is the first time in his 20 years as head coach that a DeMatha game has been canceled.

DeMatha is 2-0 and ranked No. 1 in Maryland and No. 8 in the East Region of the Student Sports Fab 50. Rockhurst (1-1) was the No. 25 team in the nation by Student Sports, but lost Monday in the continuation of a game interrupted by lightning.

TOP PERFORMANCES

Pat Mahoney completed 15-of-21 passes for 331 yards and four touchdowns as Boys' Latin defeated Friends School, 40-6.

A.J. Case, Wilde Lake, rushed for 198 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries as Wilde Lake defeated Milford Mill, 36-19.

IN CASE YOU WHERE WONDERING

Sparrows Point has a modest six-game losing streak, but it dates back to the 1999 season. The Pointers defeated Chesapeake-BC, 16-6, on Oct. 2, 1999. Sparrows Point suffered back-to-back 34-6 losses then decided to forfeit its remaining three games that season. Last year, Sparrows Point canned its varsity program with hopes of rebuilding the program through the junior varsity level. The coach was not certain the school would field a team this year until mid-August. Sparrows Point opened this year with a 44-12 loss to Patapsco.

STREAK BUSTERS

Crossland ended a 20-game losing streak with a victory over Flowers in Flowers' first varsity game ... Archbishop Spalding ended a 12-game losing streak with a 33-14 victory over Hancock. ... Mount Hebron halted an 11-game losing streak with a 17-15 win over Pikesville. ... Smithsburg defeated Northern Garrett, 26-13, to end a nine-game losing streak. ... Boys' Latin ended an eight-game slide with a 40-6 victory over Friends. ... Randallstown's 10-game regular-season win streak ended in a 26-20 overtime loss to Eastern Tech. ... Oakland Mills' nine-game regular-season win streak was stopped in a 51-0 loss to Mount St. Joseph, the same team to deal Oakland Mills its last regular-season defeat. ... Northwest's seven-game regular-season win streak ended in a 13-0 loss to Damascus.

AROUND THE STATE (Week 1 Notes)

Fort Hill defeated Hammond, 23-0, Friday, giving the school 500 varsity football victories. Fort Hill is only the second state school to officially reach that number -- joining city rival Allegany. Fort Hill's all-time record is 500-143-17. It is assumed a few Baltimore City schools -- like City and Poly -- have more than 500 wins, but it has never been documented. ... Amazing Ashwell! Yes, for the second straight year an Ed Ashwell-coached team has pulled off a major state stunner. Last Friday, Magruder, now coached by Ashwell, upset previous state No. 4 Gaithersburg, 7-6. Last year, while Ashwell was coaching Einstein, the Titans defeated Seneca Valley in Week 3, ending Seneca Valley's win streak at 41 games -- the longest streak accomplished completely during the playoff era. ... Big Gaines! No surprise, Billy Gaines' play was instrumental in leading Urbana to a 12-7 victory over Gilman in a major state clash. Gaines turned a quick-hitter into a 45-yard gain that led to Urbana's first touchdown, then he scored the second TD on a reception pass and finally, on defense, he got a hand in to break up a pass on a fourth-down play that ended Gilman's chance at a come-from-behind victory. ... There were three reported overtime games last week, and oddly, two ended with 26-20 scores (Catoctin over Great Mills and Eastern Tech over Randallstown). ... Catonsville's Chris Washington broke a 95-yard TD run on the Comets' first play from scrimmage in a 48-12 rout of Parkville. ... Good Counsel failed to score a touchdown in the preseason, but now the Falcons are ranked in the state Top 20 and have scored 61 points in two games. ... Dallas Talley connected on a 66-yard scoring pass, then ran in the two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter as Joppatowne edged John Carroll, 23-22.

LOOKING AHEAD

No. 4 Georgetown Prep at No. 20 Good Counsel, Saturday. Prep has won 11 straight games and Good Counsel is off to a 2-0 start under Bob Milloy.

No. 21 Broadneck at No. 12 Annapolis, Friday. Annapolis was the 3A runner-up last year. Broadneck was a 4A quaterfinalist. Broadneck was 9-0 when the teams met last year and Annapolis won, 26-19.

No. 24 Paint Branch vs. No. 13 Sherwood, Friday. Sherwood was the 4A runner-up last year, and Paint Branch was an early casualty in the 3A playoffs.